Where Do People Actually Find Homes to Buy Abroad?

If you asked most people where to find a property to buy in another country, the most common answers would be: a local agent in that country, a recommendation from someone who's already bought there, or a quick Google search that leads to one of the major local portals.

All of those work, to a degree. None of them is the most efficient starting point for an international buyer.

The problem with local portals

Local portals are built for local buyers. The listings are in the local language. The prices are in the local currency. The legal context assumes the reader already understands the local buying process. And the search tools are calibrated for someone who knows the market well enough to search it by neighbourhood.

If you're coming in from outside, local portals are hard to navigate and easy to misread. A property that looks like a bargain might be priced low for reasons the platform doesn't explain. A neighbourhood that looks central might be inconvenient for reasons a local would know instantly.

The problem with local agents

A good local agent is invaluable once you're serious about a specific market. But using a local agent as your discovery tool is expensive in time and commitment. You're locked into one market, one agent's inventory, and one perspective on what's available.

Read: How the House48 Concierge Helps Buyers With Complex Needs 

What actually works for international buyers

A platform built for global search, with listings across multiple countries, consistent pricing presentation, direct access to sellers, and support for the cross-border aspects of the transaction.

House48 covers 190+ countries in a single marketplace. You can search across markets from one interface, compare properties in different countries side by side, and reach sellers directly without going through a local intermediary first.

Once you've identified the market that interests you, a local agent or House48's Concierge can take you deeper. But the discovery phase is much faster and more useful on a global platform.

Start your international property search where it makes sense at thehouse48.com